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Helen Lightholder #5
A Simple Country Killing
Death, and Helen Lightholder, return to Brookminster with the murder of the village vicar. As Helen investigates the ghastly crime, she soon finds herself a suspect of the local police. To clear her name and protect her friends, Helen must discover the truth and outwit a devious killer. But Helen’s personal life is not without its own mysteries and one of them continues to stalk her in the shadows...
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2019
688 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Blythe Baker
117 books387 followersBlythe Baker is a thirty-something bottle redhead from the South Central part of the country. When she’s not slinging words and creating new worlds and characters, she’s acting as chauffeur to her children and head groomer to her household of beloved pets.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 28, 2020
The book was 150 pages making it a quick read. The author needs an editor for she has serious problems with personal pronouns. The main character just wanders upon trouble and causes trouble trying to clear her name. This was the fifth or fifteenth book in a series. There is a purportedly dead husband who may not have passed. That is the mystery that made the book worth reading.
Thank you, Ms. Baker, for the read.
Thank you, Ms. Baker, for the read.
February 2, 2021
Quick read
Based during WWII in London Mrs. Lightholder finds herself once again with a dead body and must find the killer in order to clear her name. A quick read with strong characters and a good plot.
Based during WWII in London Mrs. Lightholder finds herself once again with a dead body and must find the killer in order to clear her name. A quick read with strong characters and a good plot.
February 21, 2021
Very quick Kindle read. An okay but (indeed) simple, as well as amateurish and underwhelming, little mystery. I hadn't read the first four books in the series, but that was fine. Even though the author refers back to previous events and characters a lot, this is a standalone. Content: clean, and no profanity. There are worse ways to spend one's reading time but I'll skip the other books in this series.
December 2, 2019
Okay, book 5, this is getting ridiculous. They started out nicely with nice characters and an intersting, but obvious mystery. At book 5 with at least one more, all right already. This was a DNF. I already bought book 6, ever hopeful. I’m done after that.
November 8, 2019
Helen is back home. While in London she received a lot of information about Roger from his friend. The morning after getting home she decides to go to the Inn and get something to eat and then buy groceries. She is walking past the graveyard when she hears somebody calling for help. She thinks she should get the police but maybe somebody just twisted an ankle. She finds the vicar. Mr. James is bleeding a lot. She calls out and asks people on the street to call the police. By the time they arrive he is dead. Helen is covered with blood. She is arrested and handcuffed and taken to the station in a patrol car. Sam assures her that he knows Helen didn't kill Mr. James. But most everyone in the village believes she did. Irene insists she stay with them. Will Helen find out who the killer is? Who would want to kill Mr. James? And once again Helen sees a figure standing in the shadows watching her. Is it Roger? But if he is on secret dangerous missions for the government what is he doing in Brookminster? I love this series and recommend it. All books are well written.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
January 1, 2021
REALLY A 3.5 READ FOR ME - ABOVE AVERAGE
Helen is a woman who is returning to her home in a small British village.
Shortly after she arrives at her home, she is walking past the cemetery and hears a voice. A man dies in her arms.
When she is found by two villagers, she is immediately accused of the murder. She has not lived in the village for very long. And she is covered in blood.
This is the 5th book in a series and it was hard for me to get into all the nooks and crannies of this story. I would have appreciated more information about past events, characters and relationships.
Helen is friends with the police inspector who is investigating the murder. He provides a lot of leeway for her to investigate.
I was not happy with the fact that she put herself in jeopardy on a regular basis.
I liked Helen and her intelligence. She is able to analyze facts and put things together. She is capable of a strong sense of loyalty, and that is an admirable trait.
Overall, this is a quick read with a well developed plot. Things move along at a good pace. The characters are interesting.
But, as I say, it would have made my reading enjoyment greater if there would have been more background information.
Helen is a woman who is returning to her home in a small British village.
Shortly after she arrives at her home, she is walking past the cemetery and hears a voice. A man dies in her arms.
When she is found by two villagers, she is immediately accused of the murder. She has not lived in the village for very long. And she is covered in blood.
This is the 5th book in a series and it was hard for me to get into all the nooks and crannies of this story. I would have appreciated more information about past events, characters and relationships.
Helen is friends with the police inspector who is investigating the murder. He provides a lot of leeway for her to investigate.
I was not happy with the fact that she put herself in jeopardy on a regular basis.
I liked Helen and her intelligence. She is able to analyze facts and put things together. She is capable of a strong sense of loyalty, and that is an admirable trait.
Overall, this is a quick read with a well developed plot. Things move along at a good pace. The characters are interesting.
But, as I say, it would have made my reading enjoyment greater if there would have been more background information.
June 28, 2021
This is the fifth book in a series, so there's no introductory material. What goes through the MC's mind on her first night back explains a lot of background though. It tells you a lot about the character's personality as well. She's considered to be a widow, but she personally doesn't believe her husband to be dead. But due to the fact that he's probably working covertly for the government, she keeps that information to herself. After a long nap, she starts into the village to get some food and ends up with a dead body, which the villagers immediately accuse her of killing since she's covered with blood from trying to stop the bleeding. It's only 150 pages, but it seems longer than that. I don't want to say it's boring, but fast paced it's not. Once she finds the body, things slow down and it doesn't pick up again until she starts investigating with Sam. She's a good solid character. The plot was good and the mystery was good as well. I'd have to read more in the series before I could recommend them.
January 2, 2021
Fickleness of human nature
Perhaps this book was not the best one to start the series with since the narrator, Helen, made many references to things that had happened previously of which the new reader was not aware. However, the current story was able to sustain my interest despite these distractions. I became so immersed in Helen's story that I did not want to stop reading until I knew what was going to happen to her in the end. Ms. Blythe captures well the readiness with which we are prone to believe the worst about each other also how quickly we jump to conclusions. I would have liked to see a bit more written about what needed to be done to express remorse for the incorrect assumptions about Helen.
An engaging story for those who like mystery and drama.
Perhaps this book was not the best one to start the series with since the narrator, Helen, made many references to things that had happened previously of which the new reader was not aware. However, the current story was able to sustain my interest despite these distractions. I became so immersed in Helen's story that I did not want to stop reading until I knew what was going to happen to her in the end. Ms. Blythe captures well the readiness with which we are prone to believe the worst about each other also how quickly we jump to conclusions. I would have liked to see a bit more written about what needed to be done to express remorse for the incorrect assumptions about Helen.
An engaging story for those who like mystery and drama.
November 11, 2020
This is a disappointing book. The heroine sleuth is a nincompoop . She dons silly disguises to go undercover in her small English village, asks insipid questions, yet fools everyone. She breaks the rules of ethics more than once in her quest but lacks any moral sensibility, as does the police detective who aids her, seemingly mesmerized by her sexy allure. There are unbelievable plot foundation points, like a priest sharing private confession as gossip. Perhaps a lesser sin but more painful for a reader: the heroine, supposedly a well cultured, educated Brit, uses bad grammar one sometimes hears in the US.
This is fifth in a series? No more for me.
This is fifth in a series? No more for me.
November 26, 2020
I’m a bit surprised by other strong reviews as this book is exactly as titled. Too simple. Suggestions that folks in a small town would be unable to identify someone they know because of red food dye applied to their hair is unrealistic. Additionally, the thought that the initial foray into someone’s premises has them trip immediately into the hiding place of the murder weapon just seems ridiculous. This is simply disappointing and a far cry from the genius of mystery that Agatha Christie introduced.
December 6, 2019
Series keeps getting better!
Someone has murdered the vicar and Helen is the main suspect! Sam knows she isn't guilty but he has to take her in. Will they be able to find the guilty party? Helen's stalker is still following her around. She just can't seem to catch a break. This series keeps me turning the pages!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Someone has murdered the vicar and Helen is the main suspect! Sam knows she isn't guilty but he has to take her in. Will they be able to find the guilty party? Helen's stalker is still following her around. She just can't seem to catch a break. This series keeps me turning the pages!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
January 20, 2020
Helen has a mysterious stalker.. Who is it? Will we ever find out?
Helen is once again caught up in a murder mystery. This time
she almost ends up in serious hot water..
I am not one for Historical books, but this author writes them in such a way they do not
seem to be historical.. Enjoying them!
Helen is once again caught up in a murder mystery. This time
she almost ends up in serious hot water..
I am not one for Historical books, but this author writes them in such a way they do not
seem to be historical.. Enjoying them!
September 11, 2020
On her return to Brookminster, Helen Lightholder discovers Mr James, the vicar, dying. Does he in his last few breaths say who the guilty party is? Unfortunately for Helen she is arrested for the murder.
Took a dislike to the main character of this lightweight cozy mystery with its too much time spent considering Roger, and hardly any investigation.
Took a dislike to the main character of this lightweight cozy mystery with its too much time spent considering Roger, and hardly any investigation.
September 14, 2020
The inspired detective
It seemed like a quick read. Lots of things to follow as Helen did her detective work in a good way! I liked how she referred back to her old detective who mentored her, remembering his methods and style to help her plan her next move with collecting information from her suspects.
It seemed like a quick read. Lots of things to follow as Helen did her detective work in a good way! I liked how she referred back to her old detective who mentored her, remembering his methods and style to help her plan her next move with collecting information from her suspects.
September 18, 2020
Helen solves a murder!
Helen is on her way to the Inn for dinner and hears a cry for help from the church graveyard. Finding a dying man under a tree she tries to save him and then runs for help. As a newcomer to the town everyone thinks she killed the man. Can she prove she's innocent?
Helen is on her way to the Inn for dinner and hears a cry for help from the church graveyard. Finding a dying man under a tree she tries to save him and then runs for help. As a newcomer to the town everyone thinks she killed the man. Can she prove she's innocent?
April 17, 2021
Helen tries to help someone calling out in the cemetery and finds Rev. James near near. She bloodies herself with the man's blood and is immediately considered the prime suspect by the townspeople, all except Sam. Helen does her investigation while being frightened by the vehemence of the citizens. But her sleuthing pays off, and she finds the killer and the motive.
March 10, 2020
Yet another terrible thing happens to Helen. It is rather appalling the way the village people turn on her when she is accused of murder, but once again Irene proves herself a marvellous friend. It is fun to see Helen putting on a Scottish accent and a disguise to investigate.
August 15, 2020
Great story
Book five continues the story of Helen Lightholder and her quest to right the wrongs in her village. This time around Helen is suspect in the killing of the local vicker and she must use her investigation skills to clear her name. Wonderful series.
Book five continues the story of Helen Lightholder and her quest to right the wrongs in her village. This time around Helen is suspect in the killing of the local vicker and she must use her investigation skills to clear her name. Wonderful series.
September 10, 2020
A Simple Country Killing
I enjoyed reading this well written mystery. It was nice to read a well edited book with good grammer. I read it in one afternoon, so it was a quick read or rather a short book. Some references to previous book not filled out.
I enjoyed reading this well written mystery. It was nice to read a well edited book with good grammer. I read it in one afternoon, so it was a quick read or rather a short book. Some references to previous book not filled out.
September 17, 2020
An entertaining short read. English villages have the reputation for murders...and her is another one of the rector at the town church. Everything is an ordinary English countryside cozy mystery. Charming but not memorable.
September 20, 2020
Love To Read
I love to read a mystery every now and then. The plot moved extremely slow and limited suspense. I may try another one by this author, but I definitely have reservations.
I love to read a mystery every now and then. The plot moved extremely slow and limited suspense. I may try another one by this author, but I definitely have reservations.
September 27, 2020
Very exciting little mystery series!
These are very exciting little mysteries, and they keep my attention -- probably longer than they they should. 😏
Highly recommend the whole series. I'm on book 5 as I write this.
These are very exciting little mysteries, and they keep my attention -- probably longer than they they should. 😏
Highly recommend the whole series. I'm on book 5 as I write this.
October 5, 2020
Lame
may an Okay read for a beginning reader, but despite the WHODUNIT mystery, I found it rather juvenile and boring. Thank heavens it was a short story. will not be entertaining a read of the rest of the series.
may an Okay read for a beginning reader, but despite the WHODUNIT mystery, I found it rather juvenile and boring. Thank heavens it was a short story. will not be entertaining a read of the rest of the series.
July 8, 2021
Another mystery
Well here we are and wondering where this is going!
How many murders before we can feel safe in that little town.
Good book to take with you if you have to wait for appts!
Well here we are and wondering where this is going!
How many murders before we can feel safe in that little town.
Good book to take with you if you have to wait for appts!
November 8, 2019
Returning to figure out why the vicar was murdered and she becomes the suspect.Seems like Helen and trouble seem to follow. Good series, full of mayhem for Helen. and character of Helen is good.
July 19, 2020
Good read. Got my interest way up, now I want to read the last one.
September 17, 2020
Simple little book
This was an easy read and managed to tell a complete story. It kept me entertained and taught me more about living in a small English village.
This was an easy read and managed to tell a complete story. It kept me entertained and taught me more about living in a small English village.
September 23, 2020
Ok
The story was about a woman who is accused of murder in a small town. She partners with the local police to solve the case and clear her name.
The story was about a woman who is accused of murder in a small town. She partners with the local police to solve the case and clear her name.
September 27, 2020
Didn’t care for the subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 28, 2020Country Killing
A story. Clean. The characters are flat and the story unfolds while the heroine does the obviously dumb things you know she shouldn't do. No real depth.
A story. Clean. The characters are flat and the story unfolds while the heroine does the obviously dumb things you know she shouldn't do. No real depth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews